Two DCMH doctors given Clinical Education Award

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) physicians Dr. Maher Ahmad and Dr. Jennifer Fletcher have been selected by East Indiana Area Health Education Center (EI-AHEC) to receive this year's Clinical Education Award. 

The award comes from feedback from students who are completing clinical rotations at DCMH and it recognizes their efforts of teaching and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Across multiple disciplines, students highlight how much they learn from Drs. Ahmad and Fletcher about communication, interprofessional collaboration, and the resourcefulness required to provide effective healthcare in a rural community.

Students gain firsthand experience seeing how physicians coordinate with specialists, the Emergency Department, family medicine providers, and members of the inpatient team, including nursing, imaging, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, social work, and nutrition services. They also learn the importance of adapting to the resources and needs of each patient and the community.

“Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Fletcher’s commitment to teaching gives students valuable insight into what it means to practice medicine in our rural community,” said Jeff Hartz, EI-AHEC Executive Director. “We consistently hear how meaningful the experiences have been with both physicians from our students.”

This is the first time that EI-AHEC has recognized a team rather than an individual. 

Their teaching extends beyond medical students to physician assistant and nurse practitioner students, nursing and imaging students, social work students, pre-medical students, and high school students exploring healthcare careers. Throughout the year, they adapt their teaching to meet learners at different stages of their education.

“Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Fletcher demonstrate how teaching is woven into the work they do every day,” said Ally Metz, DCMH Director of Inpatient Services. “They take the time to explain decisions, bring the right people together, and show students how every member of the team contributes to a patient's experience and healing. They model the importance of working together, communicating effectively, and thinking resourcefully.”

DCMH provides clinical learning opportunities for students from multiple educational programs and institutions, continuing its commitment to supporting healthcare education and strengthening the future workforce serving Decatur County and the surrounding region.